Railway Budget: Here's what Mumbai gets but is it what is needed?

The Railway Budget was presented by Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. There were no fare hikes announced and, for the city of Mumbai which boasts of one of the best railway connectivity in the world, there were some highlights.

Bansal announced an elevated railway corridor for Mumbai. In addition to that he also said that the first AC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake would be introduced on the Mumbai suburban network in 2013-14.

So for all those hot summer days when Mumbaikars are sweating as they commute, this AC train will prove to be a boon.

The railway minister also announced 72 additional train services in Mumbai to meet the growing demand in the maximum city.

Some of the trains announced from and to Mumbai are:

Hazrat Nizamuddin – Mumbai AC Express (Weekly) via Bhopal, Khandwa, Bhusawal

Hubli – Mumbai Express (Weekly) Via Miraj, Pune

Kakinada – Mumbai Express (Bi-weekly)

Mumbai – Solapur Express (6 Days a week) Via Pune

Mumbai CST-Latur Express to Hazoor Saheb Nanded

The Railway Budget also saw the government approve the linking of the Western Railway with the Konkan Railway.

Here are a few reactions from Mumbaikars on Twitter:

The new #RailBudget has got nothing new, it has no sense of applying AC coaches in Mumbai Locals. Only #Congress region have got the benefit

—Prajakta Pathak(@cool_nikkki) February 26, 2013

Dude, this is a wonderful news for Kumaon region. There's be a direct train to Mumbai. This rail budget is brilliant.

— Abhinav Chandel (@ABHIandNOW) February 26, 2013

What is Mumbai getting from this #RailBudget. that is going to be really implementatble

— nareshchandra (@nareshchandra) February 26, 2013

Is there any scheme to stop people from using railway lines as toilet seat? At least in Mumbai? #RailBudget

— The Brown Brumby (@brownbrumby) February 26, 2013

Sadly, our railway minister hasn't done anything for the people who adjust their seat in Mumbai local for the 4th person.#Rail budget.

— @n!_ket shah (@aniketshah224) February 26, 2013